My name is Julio, and I am a 44-year-old U.S. Navy Veteran who served during the Post-9/11 War as an E3 Hospital Corpsman. I received an honorable discharge in 2003 due to a physical injury caused by the intensity of my military training. After my discharge, I pursued my education and earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Information Technology and Cybersecurity. I then began my career as an IT professional.
In 2004, I met the love of my life, Yenisen, at a local church in Miami, Florida. We started as friends and eventually began dating. I later joined the church’s worship team and became an official musician for Christ. Through my musical background, I had the opportunity to perform at many church events and concerts and to teach music to younger generations.
In 2007, I married Yenisen, and we moved into our first apartment in Homestead, Florida, with hopes and dreams of starting our own family. Unfortunately, during a routine doctor’s visit at the VA, I was told that it would be very difficult for us to conceive and have children because of the physical injuries I sustained during my military service. Although this news was heartbreaking, Yenisen and I focused our energy on serving our church, helping with the youth groups, and continuing to serve through musical worship.
Through continued prayer, faith, and God’s grace, Yenisen and I welcomed our first child, our daughter Nesiney, in 2014. In 2015, we were blessed with our second child, our son Ismael. Today, both of our children have grown into musicians themselves, and their mother homeschools them.
The day after Father’s Day in 2021, I was admitted to the Miami VA Medical Center and diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. The specialists were unable to determine the cause of my disease, but they offered several treatment options. Unfortunately, none of the recommended treatments were able to stop my condition from progressing, and my kidney function has now fallen to just 10%.
With the sadness in my heart, the music that has been such an important part of my life has temporarily been put on hold. Despite the diet restrictions, physical limitations, and challenges that come with kidney disease, I continue to hold firmly to my faith and trust in God. My faith remains strong, and I will never stop praying.
More than anything, I want the opportunity to see my children grow older, build lives of their own, and one day have families and children of their own. That is what I desire most.
Receiving the gift of a new kidney would be life-changing for me. It would give me a second chance at life and the opportunity to continue being a husband, a father, a musician, and a servant of God. I believe God is good, and I continue to trust Him through this journey.
We need you to help us support Julio. Whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, you can make a profound impact!
Living kidney donation has been proven to be safe. There are no long term consequences to the donor. After recovery, donors can live a normal life with one kidney.
DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery.
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611.